REPORT

For the 4 days from 6/17 (Tue.) to 6/20 (Fri.), Hakuba Village experienced mostly sunny skies, resulting in over 1.5 times the average sunshine duration for this time of year during that span. At the same time, average temperatures were 3.5°C higher than normal, and the heat of summer was already noticeable in the village this morning. The three major Hakuba Sanzan peaks, which had been visible early in the morning, gradually became shrouded in mist around 8:20 a.m. as I rode the Grat Quad up.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Mountain Climbing Course]

I began the initial stretch of the trail at a slow and steady pace to avoid spiking my heart rate too quickly. With the recent warm temperatures, the snowmelt has progressed rapidly, and only about a 3-meter patch of snow now remains on the trail between the No. 2 Cairn and Happo Cairn (pictured, background, near the group of hikers). At the Happo Cairn, a refreshing breeze blowing up from the southern slope felt wonderfully cool.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・No. 2 Cairn to Happo Cairn]

“We always follow your reports—we’re off to Happo Pond to walk on some snow,” was the comment from a pair of hikers I met from Aichi Prefecture and Nozawa Onsen Village. Meanwhile, a man from Osaka, who had hiked up carrying his skis, told me, “There’s less snow than I expected, so I think I’ll try climbing all the way to the Karamatsu mountain hut.” At this point, the only area with a substantial amount of snow remaining was to the east of Happo Pond (pictured).
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo Cairn to Happo-ike Pond]

The cool, shaded area around the Shita-no-Kanba was transformed into a fresh green tunnel by the budding Japanese white birches (dakekanba). At my feet, clusters of maizuruso (false lily-of-the-valley, pictured) spread across the forest floor. After working up quite a sweat on the ascent, I paused in the shade to rehydrate and cool down before beginning my descent—heading back toward the base, where I was sure the temperature had risen since the early morning.
[Hiking Trail to Mt. Karamatsu・Shita-no-Kanba]

*There are three free parking lots at the base area. The lot in front of the Kurobishi 3rd Pair lift can accommodate approximately 200 vehicles.
*At present, the Usagidaira Terrace has the highest elevation restroom available for public use. Due to a water shortage, the restrooms at Happo-ike Sanso are only available to overnight guests or those dining at the lodge.
*The Kurobishi Forest Road will open to traffic early in the morning on 7/1 (Tue.), though please note it may be closed in the event of heavy rain or other adverse conditions.

[Happo-One Nature Trail Opening Information]
*Period … 2025/5/31 (Sat.) – 6/1 (Sun.), 6/7 (Sat.) – 11/3 (Mon.)
*Hours … Happo Alpen Line (8am － *Early morning operation starts from 7/12) *Kurobishi Line starts from 7/1
*Fees … Happo Alpen Line Roundtrip / Adults JPY3,400, Elementary School Students JPY2,200 → Advance Discount Tickets: Adults JPY3,000, Children JPY1,850! (No need to exchange at the ticket window! You can proceed straight to the gondola.) Kurobishi Line Roundtrip / Adults JPY2,300, Elementary School Students JPY1,400.
(*One preschooler free with each paid adult. The second preschooler will be charged at the normal children’s rate.)

*Hakuba Happo-one will be reported 1－2times a week
*To Visitors Requesting Original Data of Our Photographs.

reported by Snownavi